Athletics Update: The previous Ludlow basketball coach is resuming his career with the team once more
In exciting news for Northern Kentucky basketball fans, Dan Sullivan, a veteran coach with over 30 years of experience, is set to return to the Ludlow Panthers next season as their head coach. Sullivan previously coached the Ludlow boys' basketball team from 2018 to 2022 and also served as the school's athletic director.
Sullivan's coaching tenure has been marked by success, as he led the team to multiple victories and established a strong reputation in the region. His return to Ludlow is a testament to the trust and respect he has earned within Northern Kentucky basketball circles.
Prior to coaching Ludlow, Sullivan was the head coach at Walton-Verona, where he had a 60-46 record in four seasons from 1990 to 1994. After Walton-Verona, he moved on to Campbell County, where he compiled a 126-118 record in nine seasons from 1994 to 2003. Sullivan's time at Campbell County included two 20-win seasons and the 2000-01 team winning the 10th Region championship to earn a berth in the state tournament.
While exact win-loss records or detailed statistics of his coaching tenure with the Ludlow Panthers were not provided, his repeated hiring by the team and the emphasis on his extensive coaching experience suggest a continued success story. The Ludlow Independent Schools Facebook account announced that Sullivan is excited to return to Ludlow to continue building on the success of the boys basketball program.
Last season, the Ludlow boys basketball team posted a 16-15 record and finished first in the NKAC Division III conference standings among small schools. The team has faced challenges in recent years, with three of the top five scorers graduating this spring. However, the team's future looks bright with Sullivan at the helm.
Meanwhile, in the world of athletics, local stars Tiger Bartlett and Will Sheets made headlines in the 2022 Class 3A state cross country meet. Bartlett, a 2024 Ryle graduate, finished second in the 5K race in 15:28.46, while Sheets, a 2025 Covington Catholic graduate, finished third in the same race in 15:56.07. Both athletes have also achieved success in track events, breaking the 15-minute mark in 5K cross country races during their high school careers.
On the national stage, Luke Maile, a Covington Catholic graduate, is back in the major leagues as the third catcher on the Kansas City Royals' roster. Maile has played for six teams in 10 major league seasons, including the Cincinnati Reds. He has a .209 career batting average with 238 hits, 114 RBI and 22 home runs.
As the new season approaches, basketball fans in Northern Kentucky are eagerly awaiting Sullivan's return to the sidelines and the continued success of the Ludlow Panthers. The team's strong foundation, combined with Sullivan's extensive coaching experience and passion for the game, promises an exciting season ahead.
In addition to Sullivan's electrifying return to the Ludlow Panthers, two notable athletes from local schools recently made headlines in their respective sports. Tiger Bartlett, a 2024 Ryle graduate, clinched the second place spot in the 2022 Class 3A state cross country meet, while Will Sheets, a 2025 Covington Catholic student, finished third in the same event.
Meanwhile, another notable athlete from Covington Catholic, Luke Maile, is back in the major leagues as the third catcher for the Kansas City Royals. Maile has previously played for six teams in 10 major league seasons, including the Cincinnati Reds.
Amidst these sports accomplishments, the Ludlow boys basketball team, under Sullivan's leadership, concluded the previous season with a 16-15 record, securing the top position in the NKAC Division III conference standings among small schools.
The upcoming season is shaping up to be an exciting one for basketball fans in Northern Kentucky, with Sullivan's return to the sidelines and the promising prospects for the Ludlow Panthers.
Not to be forgotten, schools such as Campbell County have also produced successful basketball teams in the past, with Sullivan himself leading the team to a 10th Region championship and a state tournament berth during his tenure from 1994 to 2003.
